Priceline Hotel: Vancouver hotel - help needed!

[kaythari]

Hi, I'd like to book a hotel in Vancouver (downtown..preferably downtown west) for Sept. 7-9. Hopefully a 4*..but 3* is fine too. I've never used Priceline before and am a bit confused regarding re-bidding and the zones. Any advice or strategies will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

[thereuare]

Welcome to BetterBidding!

Have you seen/read PRICELINE RE-BIDDING EXPLAINED? If so, and you are still confused, please list (in a reply to this post) all of the Toronto zones and next to each list the highest star rating available in that zone. You can find the highest star rating in each zone as follows (from the previous links):

The way to check what star levels are available in each zone is to open a Priceline page, check ONLY the zone you are inquiring about, and then proceed to the next page (as if you were going to select a zone)... this will give you the available star ratings in that area. You can then hit BACK on your browser, uncheck the current box, check the next box, and repeat the process. It is important to do this before EACH attempt at adding a zone that you really don't want, as new hotels can be added and the star ratings can change at any time.

Do you have a budget/maximum bid in mind?

[kaythari]

Thank you, thereuare. What a great website and forum! I'm so glad I found it!

I think I now have a better idea of re-bidding strategy. My only concern is that unlike Hotwire, Priceline has just Vancouver for Vancouver downtown, and doesn't specify whether downtown west, entertainment district, etc. I just worry about ending up in unsafe areas of downtown. But as long as I stick to 3-stars or above, I should be fine?

My maximum currently is 3* for $85 and 4* for about $100 - $110. Is this even reasonable?

Thank you very much for your help.

[WillTravel]

I would stick to 4* and above if you want to be (reasonably) sure to stay in a nice area of downtown, or else use Hotwire. It's possible to get a 3* in a somewhat less nice area (personally I think the Sandman is in this category).